Trying to find an canoe float with good fishing opportunities that I can take my father on in a couple weeks when he is up to visit. I can't have him on anything requiring a portage as he has COPD and needs O2 for anything slightly strenuous. Also want to avoid anything requiring any bow steering for the same reason.

I'm not from the area and haven't been on any water here, but from reading so far I was thinking of the upper Wood River, putting in at 165. I've heard the trout fishing is decent, even this time of year, due to the shade. I understand it is a little low right now, but not sure what exactly that means to my Penobscot 16.

My thinking is a leisurely paddle/float down to Barberville Dam where we can pull out for lunch. If my dad is not doing well, we just take out there. Otherwise, we put back in and continue down to Wyoming Pond.

I'm going to try and sneak out of work this Friday and run the river solo to get a feel for what is there. Would be good to know though if that is a waste of time that would be better spent on another float. Thanks in advance for any insight on this!

Hi Gary: I don't fish and I don't know if I can help out. My father had COPD and carried two oxygen tanks. I know how difficult life can be. I would call the Wood Pawcatuck Association and ask them. They are the experts on the river. I would say that the upper Wood would be too difficult and that you may want to try out the Pawcatuck River below Alton Dam where there may be some good fishing. Bill

here is the phone # for the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association 401-539-9017. They are located very near the Barberville Dam, 203 Arcadia Rd, Hope Valley. Ask for the directors Chris Fox or Denise Poirier. They should be able to help. Bill

Thanks for the information Bill. I'll give them a call today and see what they say.

I took a look (figuratively) at the lower Wood, but for some reason wasn't sold on it. Could be just the descriptions I've read on-line don't make it sound as appealing on either the float front or the fishing front. I'll put it back in the "to consider pile" though, so thanks.

Any other spots come to mind? Was originally planning on going up to Maine and doing a multi-day float on one of the classics. But, yeah.. quick onset of health issues and COPD really slowed him down. So now I'm in the tough position of trying to find something with the multi-day backwoods feel without actually doing a multi-day backwoods float.

Hi Gary: I'm not much of a fisherman and I know that trout do not necessarily like the warm waters in southern New England.If WPWA can not answer your fishing questions, try asking at one of the fishing supply stores. RICKA is more a recreational club. There are some fishermen who know way more than most of us could tell you about. There's a Quaker Lane Bait shop in No Kingston near Allies Donuts. Bill

Thanks Bill. I've hit a few bait and tackle shops around Richmond where I live, but most advice I've gotten is for open lake spots. I guess the wall I'm hitting is trying to find both a good canoe float AND good fishing. Trying to cram both into a short day outing is tough in RI it seems, especially this time of year.

Best of luck, Gary! I would say that the Wood River and others may have blowdowns which you and your father would have to climb over. There maybe an online trout group that could give you advice. Some of the deep water kettle ponds on Cape Cod have good trout fishing- wish I could mention a few. Bill

Probably not in the cards for you and your dad, but this is what Jonathan caught with his first cast when we were up there over Memorial Day weekend. Then he never caught anything else for the rest of the trip. Good luck finding something local.

So, I did call the WPWA the other day and they said the water level wasn't that bad for this time of year. I took out of work early, put in at 165 and went down to Wyoming Pond, all in all about 3 hours with a short break at the dam for lunch. There were a few blow downs that forced you to duck or move over into the shallows. Only one I had to get out for, and that was about 75 yards down from the put in. Easy over though... large log you can stand on to pull your boat over without even getting your feet wet. There was a little bottom bumping at times, but nothing to really get hung up on.

So, I know what the river is now. Have a few options for something to do with my dad. I'll post some pics if he catches anything :-)